Pasay City, Philippines.The historic campaign of the Bulgarian national team at the Men's Volleyball World Championship in the Philippines concluded with a silver medal – the first such success for our men's team since 1970. And the individual accolades for the performance of the "Lions" were not long in coming – two of them found a place inthe Ideal Team of the tournament, compiled by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Bulgarian highlights: leadership and class
CaptainAlex Grozdanovwas deservedly chosen as one of the two best middle blockers in the world. His presence at the net became a key factor for Bulgaria's impressive campaign, as he was among the leaders in successful blocks and had a huge impact in defense and in transitional phases of the game.
No less expected was the inclusion ofAleksandar Nikolovamong the two best outside hitters of the tournament. The "Lions" star was at the core of the team's attacking power, combining offensive efficiency, stable reception, and crucial defensive saves in key moments.
🏆 Ideal Team of the Men's Volleyball World Championship 2025 (Philippines)
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Setter | Simone Giannelli | Italy |
| Opposite Hitter | Yuri Romano | Italy |
| Outside Hitter | Aleksandar Nikolov | Bulgaria |
| Outside Hitter | Alessandro Michieletto | Italy |
| Middle Blocker | Alex Grozdanov | Bulgaria |
| Middle Blocker | Jakub Kochanowski | Poland |
| Libero | Fabio Balaso | Italy |
| MVP | Alessandro Michieletto | Italy |
Comment:
Italy dominated the individual awards with four representatives, including the tournament MVP – Alessandro Michieletto.
Nevertheless, Bulgaria is the only other nation with more than one player in the symbolic team, which is a clear sign of the high class and recognition for the "Lions'" performance.
The presence of Nikolov and Grozdanov is not only an individual success but also proof of the progress of Bulgarian volleyball at the highest global level.
The silver medal and the two spots in the ideal lineup are a clear confirmation that Bulgaria is once again among the leading forces in world volleyball. The team showed character, maturity, and quality, and its stars – Nikolov and Grozdanov – deservedly ranked alongside the biggest names on the planet. After this championship, expectations for this generation will only grow – both on the continental and world stages.
